Qantas to fly to Delhi from Sydney & Melbourne

[dajop]

Unpacking the profitability discussion, just because a route is discontinued doesn't necessarily mean that it was unprofitable, it could simply mean there are more profitable opportunities out there.

Alternatively, it might well be unprofitable after accounting for overheads and the cost of the asset, but if it is more than covering (variable) operating costs it could make sense to operate the route in the short term to provide cash. Obviously the latter doesn't work in the long term, something has to give. But with the older 330's that QF use on these two routes, are these already fully depreciated, such that the asset cost is minimal anyway (compared to 787)?

 

[docjames]

Profitability/fare achieved will be fairly commercial in confidence, but a crude estimate could be made:

- sale price J/Y
- fare price 1-2 days pre-flight
- fare price 1 month out
- fare price 3 months out

- compare other current utilisation (eg. Compare same datapoints to DEL with MNL, HNL, LAX etc) and get somewhat of an understanding of relative yields.

Can also look at through fares with SIN as a reasonable comparator (and also for a “price ceiling”).

Qantas are somewhat airframe and crew limited - ideally DEL is paying for itself and as airframes / crews become more available, china could be added, not substituted.

FWIW I think the DEL route will say for the time being - unless there is a major shift in the market.

I think the other barrier to resuming china will be the airlines based in CHina are likely to flood capacity if it eventually opens up, bu there may be a window where ex-Aus demand (for QF) is in a sweet spot before capacity gets flooded (which really may be targeting the ex-CN travellers).

 

[AIRwin]

4x weekly:

Sydney <> Bengaluru (Bangalore)

14 September 2022

Additional frequency just over a year later:

Qantas Increases Sydney – Bangalore Service From late-Oct 2023 — AeroRoutes

Published at 0600GMT 06JUL23 Qantas in Northern winter 2023/24 season plans to increase Sydney – Bangalore service, as the airline introduces 5th weekly flight on 30OCT23, Sydney departure. The oneWorld member operates this route with A330-200 aircraft. QF067 SYD0930 – 1545BLR 332 x24 QF068 BL

www.aeroroutes.com

 

[exLXCXFF]

Additional frequency just over a year later:

Qantas Increases Sydney – Bangalore Service From late-Oct 2023 — AeroRoutes

Published at 0600GMT 06JUL23 Qantas in Northern winter 2023/24 season plans to increase Sydney – Bangalore service, as the airline introduces 5th weekly flight on 30OCT23, Sydney departure. The oneWorld member operates this route with A330-200 aircraft. QF067 SYD0930 – 1545BLR 332 x24 QF068 BL

www.aeroroutes.com

I used this connection twice so far (outbound Sunday), and it’s pretty good, and I think the Indigo partnership works well (bar the terrible veg sandwich).

 

[jpp42]

I used this connection twice so far (outbound Sunday), and it’s pretty good, and I think the Indigo partnership works well (bar the terrible veg sandwich).

Hi, I was on that flight with you, SYD-BLR on Sunday

Overall agreed - it's a better way to get to Mumbai, absent a direct SYD-BOM flight. I was pleasantly surprised on the Indigo inclusions - good seat up front and free drink/sandwich included (which I also didn't eat, but at least it was there if I was famished). The transfer process in BLR was extremely smooth - the flight from SYD arrives at a dead time for BLR airport so there was no queue at immigration (and a good number of agents to process our flight), and very little wait at domestic security. The three hour layover to my connecting flight was eaten into a bit by the poor timekeeping of the ex-SYD flight (1+ hr late due to crewing issues), but I noticed there was an Indigo representative meeting someone who had a tighter connection, which must be something 6E is providing as per the codeshare agreement, since as an LCC they would normally not really care! I was flying HLO so no comments about excess luggage which I know @Ade has had trouble with in the past.

I had gotten a J upgrade on points, SYD-BLR. The one odd thing about the A330 service was that they served business first then all the flight attendants disappeared as they served economy - is this typical, or maybe modified due to fewer crew than normal? This process meant they rushed out the first service, rather than dragging on, as we've seen complaints about before on other QF LH international, but it also meant that the 2nd service came out about 4 hours before landing, seemingly only a short while after the first service was done. This appeared to be so they had enough time for the J service before they went and did the second economy service - but I would have much preferred the second service to be closer to landing - this would have been terrible on an overnight flight when one would prefer to sleep.